If there’s one thing Parisians do well it’s luxury. From fashion to food to everything in between, no one does opulence quite like the French! Whether you’re looking to stay in Paris for just one night (viable excuses include: anniversaries, proposals, birthdays… Mondays) or for an extended period of time, there’s a room (or a suite!) to suit everyone. Thanks to Parisians’ perfectionist tendencies our top 5 luxury hotels are just that – perfect. If you can think of it they’ve probably got it, and if they haven’t got it they’ll bend over backwards to get it for you.
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1. Le Bristol
Le Bristol is perfectly located on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré – home to not only the Palais de l’Elysée (the President’s residence) but also virtually every big-name luxury brand including Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna… the list goes on! Le Bristol boasts a seemingly never-ending list of accolades, the most recent of which include “Best Luxury Day spa” in Europe and ranking 2nd amongst the 25 Best Hotels in France according to Trip Advisor, and did we mention it was the first French establishment to be awarded the distinction of “Palace” status? If that doesn’t persuade you how about the romantic 18th century décor, the kid’s club or the triple Michelin-starred chef!
Prices vary throughout the year, “Romance in Paris” offer from €975
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2.Plaza Athénée
Having welcomed previous glamorous clientele such as Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy and the Ford family, the Plaza Athénée is the perfect choice for a VIP-style stay. Featuring 12 different types of rooms and suites, 5 restaurants and even 2 styles of décor (classical and art deco) the choices are endless! The jaw-dropping “Signature Suites” are essentially sumptuous Parisian apartments and if it weren’t for the option of round-the-clock room service (24-hour champagne!) you could soon forget that you’re in a hotel. For those who like to travel in style there’s a hotel limousine available for hire (with driver) by the hour, but who needs to leave when you have three Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse’s restaurant and a Dior Institut spa on the premises?! But if you do get itchy-feet the Théâtre des Champs Élysées, where you can catch an opera or a ballet, is just seconds away.
€635 – suite prices on request, “Romantic Offer” from €975
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3. Shangri-La Hotel
The best thing, and it’s hard to choose, about the Shangri-La Hotel is its location on the banks of the Seine with a breath-taking view of the Eiffel Tower. Painstakingly restored, it’s also the former home of Napoleon Bonaparte’s grandnephew and you’ll certainly receive the royal treatment here! Guests can take advantage of three restaurants (two of which are Michelin-starred) offering French and Asian haute cuisine or sip the hotel’s signature cocktail “The Pink Lady” at the Empire style bar. The Shangri-La is another hotel with a whole host of awards but what really sets it apart from other luxury options are its inventive but subtle East-meets-West décor and rooms that boast a view of the Eiffel Tour from your bath tub… quite a way to start your wedding day! Prices vary throughout the year, “Romance in Paris” offer from €990
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4. W Paris-Opéra
The W Paris-Opéra may belong to a chain but its stylish rooms make it feel more like a boutique Parisian hotel and with 9 types of rooms ranging from “Cozy Room” to “Extreme Wow Suite” it’s easy to find a luxury space to suit you, even on a budget. All guests can enjoy complimentary 24-hour access to the top floor fitness centre (with a view over the Paris rooftops exercising just became a lot more fun!) and then treat themselves to a drink in the ultra-chic W Lounge bar. The hotel also offers its unique “Whatever/Whenever” service for “Whatever you want. Whenever you want it, as long as it’s legal!” – perfect for a rainy day in bed! But it’ll be hard to resist leaving your room with a Michelin Star restaurant in the hotel and the Opéra and world-famous Grands Magasins on your doorstep!
€340 – €2300, “Romance in Paris” offer from €470
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5. Hotel Fouquet’s Barrière
Located just off the Champs Elysées on the famous Avenue George V, Hotel Fouquet’s Barrière was the first luxury hotel in Paris to receive five stars. Even the smallest rooms are spacious at 37sqm, with the largest suite a huge 250sqm and rooms available at every size in between. All of the rooms and suites offer great views of surrounding landmarks or the hotel’s private garden, a delightful haven of sunshine and greenery . During your stay you can also take advantage of the hotel’s U Spa (the U stands for “Unique in Paris”!), stunningly decorated with light wood and bronze mosaics, with free access to the swimming pool and fitness centre. The hotel is home to no less than 5 restaurants and 3 bars including the recently opened La Petite Maison de Nicole, the Parisian version of the famous restaurant of the same name in Nice.
€655 – €14280, “Paris c’est l’Amour” offer from €990
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Phew! After that we’re guessing you’re feeling a bit spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your luxury hotel! Exemplary service, world-renowned chefs and budgets to suit everyone from the purse-friendly to the money-is-no-object… these hotels may seem the stuff of dreams but we can assure you they’re very real! Just remember to book well in advance to secure your favourite room or suite, then kick back, relax and let yourself be pampered in the lap of luxury!
*All photos taken from the Hotels’ websites.
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